Improved mode of attaching knives or



R. W. ANDREWS. Pistol Sword.

N0. 328. Patented July 29, 1837.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFEIcE.

ROBERT "W. ANDREWS,'OF STAFFORD, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVED MODE OF ATTACHING KNIVES OR DIRKS TO PISTOLS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 328, dated July 31, 1837.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT W. ANDREWs, of Stafford, in the county of Tolland and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and Improved Mode of Affixing or Attaching Knives or Dirks to Pistols or other Small Fire-Arms; and I do declare that the following is a full and exact description.

The nature of my invention consists in so attaching a knife or dirk to a pistol or other small fire-arms that the breech, with its lock, guard, and other fixtures, (being separable from the barrel,) shall serve as a convenient handle or hilt to the knife or dirk, making use of the blade as an essential means of connecting the breech, lock, &c., with the barrel to form the piece entire.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will proceed to describe its construction.

The barrel need not differ from the common construction; but I usually make the breechpin of sufficient length to extend quite to the end of the stock or breech of the piece. The use of the extension will better be understood when other parts shall have been described.

The blade is connected with its hilt or to the breech of the piece by a shank entering into or passing through it, or otherwise. It being most convenient, I insert the blade so as to have its back pass along directly under the barrel, although this particular position is not essential. The lock being of the comm on kind, and situated in the usual place, requires no particular description.

A substantial sheath or scabbard for the blade is provided and firmly attached to the barrel. A groove in which the breech-pin is to fit is made in the stock. When the breechpin is inserted in its groove (the blade at the same time entering the scabbard) and thrust home to its place, a spring or catch is made by its own natural action to enter a hole in the breech-pin and hold it fast. This spring is disengaged when desired by means of a trigger passing down into the guard, by the side of that used in firing the piece. WVhen separated, the barrel and scabbard form one part, as at B, (see drawing,) and the stock or breech with the knife, lock, guard, 8m. the other part, as at A. (See drawing.) Thus, ifan antagonist siezes hold of the barrel and Scabbard, which are attached, as at B, (see drawing,) for the purpose of wresting the weapon from the hand of the holder, the harmless barrel with the scabbard, as at B, (see drawing) is all he receives, but leaves in the hand of his adversary an unsheathed dagger, as at A, (see drawing,) ready for his destruction.

Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

Attaching the scabbard to the barrel, as herein described, and making it an essential part in holding the piece steadily -and firmly together when the two parts A and B are united, as at 0. (See drawing.)

ROBERT W. ANDREWS.

Witnesses:

RoDoLrHUs WOODWORTH, JOHN PINNEY. 

